Dec 20, Colombo: The Sri Lankan government announced Thursday that prep work will begin for the Phase 1 of the proposed Northern Expressway from Colombo to Jaffna in Northern Province.

The government has received approval from the cabinet of ministers to obtain consultancy services for carrying out the Feasibility Studies, Environmental Impact Assessment and Preparation of Documents for the Phase 1 of the proposed Northern Expressway.

The proposed highway which connects Colombo to Jaffna through Kurunegala is 300 kilometers at length. The first phase of the road project will cost one billion US dollars.

Phase 1 of the proposed expressway is to be constructed under 3 stages and Stage 1 of the project, the 42.5-km segment with 4 lanes from Enderamulla to Meerigama, will be constructed initially.

The Cabinet has granted approval to a proposal put forward by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Ports and Highways to award the contract for the consultancy services to carry out the initial studies for the contract price of US$ 4.2 million plus Rs. 414 million.